She reached out and gently teased the baby, who laughed even more heartily.
"What about naming him Liu Yichen?" she suggested, a faint smile playing on her lips as she continued to play with the infant.
"Yi symbolizes radiance and brilliance, while Chen represents hope and vitality.
He is the first child born in our base, and we hope he grows up healthy and strong, becoming a pillar of the community."
"That name is perfect!" Xue Huaixue couldn't help but express her delight.
Liu Yi also nodded in agreement.
Initially, they had asked Yun Xiaoxiao to name the child as a way to show their gratitude for her help, considering the favor they owed her.
They hadn't expected a five-year-old to come up with a particularly impressive name, but the result exceeded their expectations.
They genuinely found the name pleasing, both in sound and meaning.
The couple was overjoyed.
As Yun Xiaoxiao played with Liu Yichen, she subtly glanced at Tan Lili, who was standing nearby.
Upon noticing Yun Xiaoxiao's gaze, Tan Lili quickly averted her eyes and lowered her head, feeling exposed and flustered.
Yun Xiaoxiao didn't confront her directly but continued chatting with the others.
Later, sensing the time was right, Yun Xiaoxiao and the others left the room, giving Liu Yi's family some private time.
Lei Chunyan's family lived next door to Liu Yi's.
Qin Zhi and Grandma Niu also resided in the same building.
Everyone dispersed and returned to their respective homes.
However, Yun Xiaoxiao left and then returned.
At Lei Chunyan's home.
As soon as she got back, Tan Lili's face fell, her unhappiness evident to anyone who saw her.
Lei Chunyan glanced at her and sighed quietly.
"There are plenty of good men out there. Why...?"
"But I just like Yi Ge!" Tan Lili's eyes welled up with tears.
"What nonsense are you spouting!" Tan Changbin scolded, frustrated.
"Liu Yi is married, and he and Huaixue are deeply in love. Now they have a child. I'm telling you, you better drop those thoughts right now!
If this gets out, how will people see you? How will they see us?!"
Tan Lili silently wept, murmuring to herself.
"But is it wrong to like someone?
Yi Ge is so outstanding, and his personality is so kind. I can't help but fall for him.
What can I do? Emotions aren't something you can control!"
"Listen to her! Listen to what she's saying. A young girl like her, how shameless! How did I end up with a daughter like this?"
Tan Changbin's chest heaved with anger.
He quickly drank some water to calm himself down, fearing he might lose his breath.
"It's all your fault I turned out like this!" Tan Lili's emotions surged.
"If you hadn't taken them in, how could I have developed feelings for him?"
"Do you think you're in the right here?!
If you dare to disrupt someone else's family, become a homewrecker, I'll break your legs!
Listen to me, from today on, you're not leaving this room!
Only when you've let go of those thoughts can you step out.
Our family can't afford to lose face like that!"
Tan Changbin's anger escalated.
The tension between father and daughter was palpable.
Lei Chunyan sighed again.
She didn't know what to say.
She led Tan Lili, still in tears, into the room.
"Your dad is furious right now. Don't provoke him."
Inside, she gently patted Tan Lili's hand, speaking sincerely.
"I understand that you're going through puberty and starting to like boys.
But in the future, we'll find someone your age, even more outstanding.
Forget about Yi Ge.
Not only is he much older than you, but he's also Huaixue's husband.
They've just had a lovely baby.
If people find out you like Liu Yi, how will they look at you?
Even our interactions with Liu Yi and Huaixue will become awkward.
The good relationship we have now will be ruined.
For the next few days, just stay in your room and calm down.
We're all doing this for your own good."
Lei Chunyan patiently advised her.
Seeing that Tan Lili remained silent and unresponsive, she didn't know what else to say.
Sighing once more, she closed the door and left.
Only when Tan Lili herself came to understand would things improve...
After Lei Chunyan left, Tan Lili lifted her head.
By now, she was in tears.
She slowly looked out the window.
Why...
Why couldn't anyone understand her?
Was it really wrong to like someone?
She didn't want this.
But Yi Ge lived next door, and she saw him every day.
Seeing his gentleness with Huaixue, his unique charm while working, she couldn't help but focus all her attention on him.
She often fantasized about what it would be like if the person he cared for and loved was her.
Yet, she knew it was wrong to like someone else's husband.
But she couldn't control it.
What could she do?!
She buried her head in the blanket and cried unrestrainedly.
After a while, she sat up, her gaze falling on a fruit knife on the bedside table.
Her eyes were complex, filled with tears.
She slowly picked up the knife and aimed it at her wrist.
She was too tormented, too overwhelmed...
Every day, she had to pretend indifference in front of others.
She had to force a smile while watching the loving couple.
It was a torment for her.
The guilt, her parents' lack of understanding, and the thought of never being with Liu Yi crushed her heart.
If living was this painful, then it would be better to...
She smiled bitterly, her hand tightening around the knife.
"Bang!"
At that moment, the door was kicked open from outside.
The sudden noise startled her, and her hand paused.
Lei Chunyan and Tan Changbin stood at the doorway, their eyes wide with shock.
They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
Lei Chunyan quickly squeezed past Yun Xiaoxiao and rushed to Tan Lili's side, crying.
"Why are you so foolish? If you die, what will we do? Do you really want us to experience the pain of burying our own child?!"
She snatched the fruit knife from Tan Lili's hand and threw it away, then anxiously looked at her bleeding wrist, frantically searching for something to stop the bleeding.
"Why did you come in? Why won't you let me die?"
Tears streamed down Tan Lili's face like pearls that had snapped their string.
"It would be better if I died. Then everything would be over, no one would know, and you wouldn't lose face. And I wouldn't... be in pain anymore."
"Do you really want to die that badly?" Yun Xiaoxiao sneered.
"If that's what you want, then I'll grant your wish. Come with me."
She grabbed Tan Lili, and in an instant, both disappeared from the spot.
